Rotary piston machine



May 23, 1967 HANNs-DIETER PASCHKE 3,320,902

ROTARY PISTON MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 1964 @UL/@naamw r 47Va/ed YJ May 23, 1967 HANNs--DIETER PASCHKE 3,320,902

ROTARY PISTON MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed May 5, 1964 May 23, 1967HANNs--D|ETER PAscHKz-z 3,320,902

ROTARY PISTON MACHINE Filed May 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet #VVE/va@ 705 700May 23, 1967 HANNS-D|ETER PAscl-IKE 3,320,902

ROTARY P I STON MACH INE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5, 1964 /4/ V641Toe. #Anus-@frle Pmcwee reen/e? YJ United States Patent C 3,320,902R'IARY PISTN MACHINE Hanns-Dieter Paschlre, 1 Wilhelm-Leuschner Weg,Neckarsulm, Germany Filed May 5, 1964, Ser. No. 365,103 Claims priority,application 7Germany, May 9, 1963, P 31,8 8 7 Claims. (Cl. M13- 178) Thepresent invention relates to a rotary piston machine capable ofgenerating a variable volume, and thus it is capable of being employedas a pump or motor for liquid or gaseous media, as an internalcombustion engine, or the like.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a rotary piston machineof relatively simply construction and possesses relatively low tolerancerequirements, and therefore is producible at low cost.

The rotary piston machine according to the invention consists of anouter member, and an inner member eccentrically arranged therein whilemounted on a rotary shaft. At least one unior multi-partite annularsealing member is disposed in sealing contact with both of the members,which together dene a working chamber whose volume varies in the c-ourseof relative motion of the two members. With respect to the cooperatingsurfaces of the sealing element and one of the members, one is sphericaland the other cylindrical; whereas the seal between the sealing elementand the other member is annular. In addition, at least one of themembers is provided with inlet and/ or outlet apertures for the workingmedium.

Thus, the rotary piston machine according to the invention embodies onlythree principal parts, each of which are simple to manufacture. Anadditional important advantage of the machine resides in the fact thatthe major portion of the pressure of the medium acts directly andwithout an intermediary, upon the inner member, which functions as thepower transmitting or receiving part.

The rotary piston machine according to the invention assumes one of anumber of embodiments. According to one contemplated proposal, the outermember has at least one recess with a cylindrical inside wall, opentowards the inner member and serving as a working chamber. The annularsealing element has a spherical outer surface cooperating with thecylindrical inside wall of the recess and slides on one of its annularfaces over the periphery of the eccentric inner member.

According to another proposal of the invention, the outer member has atleast one projection with a spherical outer surface extending towardsthe inner member. The annular sealing element has a cylindrical innersurface cooperating with the spherical surface and slides on one of itsannular faces over the periphery of the eccentric inner member.

According to still another embodiment, the inner member has at least oneradial recess with a cylindrical inside wall serving as the workingchamber; and the outer member has an inner surface eccentric to the axisof rotation of the inner member. The annular sealing element also has aspherical outside surface cooperating in this instance with thecylindrical inside wall of the recess and slides on one of its annularfaces over the inner surface ofthe outer member.

Further details and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description which is to be taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which some embodiments of the invention are represented, byway of example.

FIG. 1 shows a cross section of one embodiment of the invention with theworking chamber in the outer member and with the inner member serving asa spherical eccentric;

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FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment in longitudinal section;

FIGS. 3 to 8 show cross sections, similar to FIG. 1, of several moreembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with live working chambers,in cross section taken along the line 9 9 in FIG. 10;

FIG. l0 shows a longitudinal section taken along the line 10--10 in FIG.9;

FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section of an embodiment of the inventionwith two working chambers in the outer member and with an inner memberconstituting a hollow sphere eccentric;

FIG. 12 is another longitudinal section with the working chamber in theouter member and with the inner member serving as a disc eccentric;

FIG. 13 shows a cross section along the line 13-13 in FIG. l2;

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the invention in cross section;and

FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section of an embodiment with the workingchamber in the inner member.

Referring initially to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotarypiston machine consists of an outer member bearing the generaldesignation 1 and composed of a housing 2 and cover 3 suitably securedto one another. A shaft 4 is rotatably mounted on bearings 5 by theseparts and bears an inner member in the form of an eccentric 7 whoseouter surface 8 is spherical. Housing 2 is provided with a recess 9`acting as a working chamber defined by cylindrical inside wall 10. Therecess 9 is closed off from the exterior by a cover 11 which is subjectto the action of a spring 12.

Annular sealing element 13 is arranged between eccentric 7 and outermember 1. The sealing element 13 has a spherical outer surface 14cooperating with the cylindrical inside wall 10 of the recess 9. Annularface 15 of sealing 13 slides over the spherical outer surface 8 ofeccentric 7. In this connection, sealing element 13 is held in sealingcontact with eccentric 7 by means of a spring 16 biased against cover11. The interior 17 of outer member 1, in which eccentric 7 is arranged,has a connection 18 for supply of fluid medium. In the outer surface 8of eccentric 7, an overflow pocket 19 is provided, and whichperiodically `brings chamber 17 into communication with the interior 2i)of sealing element 13 and hence with the working space 9. A iiuid outlet21 is provided in the housing 1 substantially as shown.

When the device is to act as a pump, shaft 4 will be driven. As theeccentric rotates, the volume of the working chamber 9 is variedperiodically, while the sealing element 13 executes a reciprocating andat the same time a rocking motion in recess 9. Meanwhile, the annularface 1S is maintained in sealing contact with the outer surface 8 of theeccentric; and in addition there is constant sealing contact of thespherical outer surface 14 of sealing element 13 with the cylindricalinside wall 1t) of working chamber 9. Since a section of a sphere isalways a circle, the seal with the eccentric outer face 8 is notimpaired even when the face 15 wears down.

In the position of eccentric 7 shown, working chamber 9 has its greatestvolume, and the medium previously delivered from chamber 17 throughoverflow pocket 19 into working chamber 9 is pressurized upon furtherrotation of eccentric 7 in the direction of arrow D until the pressurebuilt up overcomes the force 4of spring 12` and lifts the cover 11,whereupon the medium, now under pressure, can discharge through outletpassage 21. The cover 11 thus serves simultaneously as a pressure valve.Since this cover presents a very large pressure area, the spring 12admits of very wide tolerances. Since the cover affords a very largeoverllow cross section when the created pressure overcomes the springaction, throttling losses are slight.

The delivery rate of the pump can be changed in known manner by varyingthe eccentricity of eccentric 7 relative to the lengthwise centerline ofworking -chamber 9.

The embodiment in FIG. 3 differs from that of FIGSl 1 and 2 essentiallyonly in that the annular sealing element 13 has an annular groove 22 inits outer surface 14 in which a sealing ring 23 is inserted with radialclearance. The outer surface 24 of this sealing ring is likewisespherical and cooperates with the inside wall 16 of working chamber 9.The purpose of this ring Z3 is to achieve a double seal against theinside wall of the working chamber 9', of value in high-pressure pumps.It may be possible for the sealing ring 23 to function as the sole sealwith its outer surface. lIn other words, the outer surface 14 of sealingelement 13 need not necessarily be in sealing contact with the insidewall 10" of working chamber Where appropriate, like numerals withacompanying primes will be used in the drawings for the parts of thisembodiment corresponding with the embodi-v ment of FIGS. 1-2.

Whereas in the preceding examples a spring holds a sealing elementagainst an eccentric while being arranged in the working chamber, FIG. 4shows an embodiment in which the spring is outside the working chamber.Here the sealing element 13" is provided with a recess 25, whichreceives a spring ring 26 embracing the eccentric 7 in spacedrelationship by way of a slide ring 27. Thus, the face of sealingelement 13 is held in sealing contact with eccentric 7". Inasmuch as thespring 26 for sealing element 13 is arranged outside the working space9, this device may be used as a pump for hot lor corrosive media towhich the spring must not be exposed. The supply of medium to workingchamber 9 is fed through a line 28 closed olf by a suction valve 30loaded with a spring 29; and the pressurized imedium is deliveredthrough a pressure valve 31 subject to the action of a spring 32 into anoutlet passage 33. With respect to this embodiment the partscorresponding with the previous embodiments will be similarly numberedwith accompanying double primes.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the annular sealing element 34 has aradially extending flange 35 presenting a shoulder for a spring 36biased against outer member 1a exteriorly of the working space 9a. Hereagain, the spring 36 is arranged outside the working chamber 9a, so thatthis device may likewise be employed for corrosive or hot media. Supplyof medium is through a passage 37 and a suction valve 39, subject to theaction of spring 38, while the pressurized medium is discharged througha passage 4t). This passage is controlled by a pressure valve 41 underthe influence of spring 42 and is normally closed until the desiredpressure is obtained. In this embodiment the subscript a will accompanylike numeral designation of parts corresponding to the previousembodiments.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 diers from that of FIG. 1 essentially only inthat the recess `serving as working chamber is fitted with a liner 43having a cylindrical inside wall 44. The terminal surface 45 of theliner '43 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the liner 43. Theannular sealing element 13b, whose spherical outer surface 14bcooperates with the cylindrical inside Wall 44 of liner 43, may, whenthis liner 43 is employed, have a lesser wall thickness, as comparisonof FIGS. 1 and 6 will clearly show. This reduces firstly the area ofsealing element 13b acted upon by pressure, and secondly its weight.Another advantage of the liner 43 resides in the fact that the wall ofthe recess, otherwise serving as bearing surface for sealing element13b, need not be nished; besides in case of wear, only the liner or thesealing element need be replaced; and lastly, the sealing element 13band the sleeve 43 may be selected in pairs for minimum tolerance beforeinstallation in the machine, thus affording a good seal with littleexpenditure of labor. The cover 11b serves to close off the workingchamber 9b, and simultaneously functions as a pressure valve resting ona flange 46 of liner 43. This flange may likewise be finished beforeinserting the liner. Supply of medium in this embodiment is effected,for example, through a hole 47 in the shaft 4b of the eccentric 7b. Hole47 continues in .a passage 4S opening into the overflow pocket 19h.Parts of this embodiment corresponding with previous embodiments will besimilarly numbered with an accompanying subscript b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the liner 43b is arranged displaceablelengthwise in the recess 9b serving as the working chamber. The liner43b includes at its outer end an inward ange 49 resting against thesealing element 5t). Liner 4319 includes at its inner end an outwardflange 51, serving to bias one end of a spring -52 also acting againstthe outer member 1b. Accordingly, spring 52 urges liner `4313 towardseccentric 7b. Sealing element 50 is carried along by flange 49 and heldby its annular face 15b upon the outer surface 8b of eccentric 7b. Theinside wall 10b of working chamber 9b land the outer surface S3 of liner4311 are cylindrical, and between the two surfaces a sealing ring 54 isarranged, for example, in the manner of a conventional piston ring. Asubscript b with an accompanying prime and like numeral is employed todesignate corresponding parts to previous embodiments.

This machine may be employed as a two-stroke internal combustion engine.For this purpose, the outer member 1b is provided with an inlet passage55 alternately closed and opened by a projection 56 of liner 43h', inthe course of longitudinal motion of the liner. The fuel-air mixturetaken into the chamber 17b of outer member 1b passes through an opening51a in flange 51 and an overflow passage 57 in outer member 1b' into theworking chamber 9b and expels the burned gases through an exhaustpassage 59. The overflow passage 57 and exhaust passage 59 arecontrolled by the outer edge 58 of liner 43h. A spark plug 60 is alsoschematically shown and serves its intended purpose.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment employable preferably as a high-pressurecompressor. In order to minimize the dead space, the sealing element 61has the form of a spherical segment whose secant surface towardseccentric 7c has an annular edge 62 in sliding sealing contact with theouter surface 8c of eccentric 7c. The cover 11C closing off the workingchamber 9c from the exterior, has an inner surface 63 in the form of ahollow spherical segment. The leaf spring 64 holding the sealing element61 against eccentric 7c rests in a recess 65 of sealing element 61. Inthe position shown, eccentric 7c is at top dead center, and manifestlythe dead space is extraordinarily small. Sealing element 61 is providedwith apassage 66 through which medium taken in through a filter 67 canenter the working chamber 9c when the overflow pocket 19C establishescommunication between chamber 17C of outer member 1c and the space 68between sealing element 61 and eccentric 7c. Cover 11C serves, as in theembodiment of FIG. 1, simultaneously as a pressure valve; and in thisrespect, is subject to the action of a spring 12e'. The outlet passageis designated as 21e. The subscript c and like numerals are employed forthe parts of this embodiment corresponding with previous embodiments.

The embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 shows a pump with five working chambersarranged radially in outer member 1d. The outer member 1d againcomprises a housing 2d and a cover 3d and defines a chamber 17d in whichthe spherical eccentric 7d, together with shaft 4 is rotatably mounted.In housing 2d, ve radial recesses 9d each with cyindrical inner surfaces10d serve as working chambers. Each are closed off from the outside by aspringloaded cover 11d serving simultaneously as a pressure valve. Anannular sealing element 13 is arranged in each recess to FIG. 1. Themedium to be delivered enters the chamber 17d though an inlet passage70. Then it is conveyed through overow pocket 19d in the outer surfaceSd of the eccentric into that Working chamber which is just beingenlarged in volume. In FIG. 9, this is true of the two lowermost Workingchambers. Upon further rotation of eccentric 7d, the medium ispressurized until the pressure of spring 12d is overcome and cover 11dis lifted (as is just happening in FIG. 9 in the two uppermost workingchambers). The medium under pressure enters an annular space 71 inhousing 2d closed off by a cover 72 and communicates with an outletconnection 73. The arrangement with tive working chambers achieves asubstantially continuous flow pattern. Like parts corresponding to thatof previous embodiments bear like numerals with an accompanyingsubscript d.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1l, outer member 1e accommodates a floatingshaft 4e bearing an inner member 74 in the form of a hollow sphereeccentric. Housing 2e of outer member 1e has two recesses 9e withcylindrical inside walls 10a, each serving as `working chambers. In eachworking chamber 9e an annular sealing element 75 is arranged, having aspherical outer surface 76 cooperating with the cylinder inside wall10e. In addition, each element 75 slides along on its annular face 15eon the hollow spherical inner surface 77 of eccentric 74. The workingchambers of 9e are each in communication by way of a spring loadedpressure valve 78, with an outlet passage 79. Medium is supplied througha passage 80 opening into the chamber 17e of outer member 1e. Eccentric74 is also provided with a slit 81 through which medium can pass fromchamber 17e into the working chambers while their volume is increasing.Like parts corresponding to that of previous embodiments bear likenumerals with an accompanying subscript e.

In the embodiments of FIGS. l to 10, the inner member is a sphericaleccentric throughout. Alternatively, however, a disc eccentric may beemployed instead of a spherical eccentric. One such embodiment is shownin FIGS. l2 and 13. Thus, an eccentric 82, mounted on a shaft 4f as inthe preceding examples, has an even outside surface 83 on which thesealing element 13j slides. The construction of this device is otherwisethe same as that of the device according to FIGS. l and 2 andconsequently, like parts will be similarly numbered with an accompanyingsubscript f.

In the preceding examples, the sealing element has been shown as aclosed ring. It is likewise within the scope of the invention, however,for this ring to be split, so that it can spread under the pressure ofthe medium and make sealing contact with the Wall of the workingchamber.

Whereas in the preceding examples the annular sealing element has aspherical outer surface cooperating with a cylindrical wall of the outermember, the outer member 1g may be provided with an inward-extendingprojection 85 having a spherical outer surface 86 as in the embodimentsof FIG. 14. The sealing element 87 has a cylindrical inner surface 88cooperating with the spherical outer surface 86. The sealing element 87rests upon the inner member 7g, again in the form of a sphericaleccentric, along an annular seal 89. A spring 90 presses sealing element87 against eccentric 7g. As eccentric 7g rotates, the working chamber 9gvaries in volume. While the volume is enlarging, Working chamber 9g isin communication via overflow pocket 19g with the chamber 17g of outermember 1g, to which medium is being supplied through an inlet passage91. Upon further rotation of eccentric 7g, the medium present in workingchamber 9g is placed under pressure, and when a certain pressure isreached, the pressure valve 92 is opened against the bias of spring 93,and the medium can escape into the outlet passage 94. Subscript g withlike numbers are employed to designate parts corresponding to theprevious embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. l5, the working chamber 96is arranged in the inner member 95. It has a cylindrical inside wall 97and contains an annular sealing element 98 whose spherical outer surface99 cooperates with the cylindrical inside wall 97. .The outer member 111has an eccentric inner surface 100, eccentric to the axis of rotation ofthe inner member 95. This inner surface is of hollow sphericallconfiguration and is followed by the sliding engagement of the sealingelement 98 through its annular face 101. A spring to hold the sealingelement 98 against the inner surface 100 of the outer member 111 is notrequired because the sealing element 98 is carried along by the innermember and it is, therefore, held against. the inner surface bycentrifugal force. Supply of medium to Working chamber 96 is effected,and so is the removal of medium through a passage 102 in the shaft 103of the inner member 95. The outer member 111 is provided with an inletpassage 104 and an outlet passage 105 which alternately come intocommunication with passage 102 as shaft 103 rotates.

Thus, among others, the several aforenoted objects and advantages aremost effectively attained. Although several somewhat preferredembodiments have been shown and described herein, it should beunderstood that this invention is in no sense limited limited therebybut its scope is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rotary mechanism comprising: an outer body having a cavity, arotary inner body having an outer peripheral spherical surface and beingformed as a spherical eccentric and mounted eccentrically on a driveshaft within the cavity for rotation with respect to the outer body, theouter body comprising at least one working chamber with a cylindricalperipheral wall and openings towards the inner body for a working mediumwhich working chamber varies in volume during rotation of the inner bodyrelative to the outer body, a reciprocal annular seal element in sealingarrangement with both said inner and outer bodies and comprising aspherical outer peripheral surface for sealing cooperation with saidcylindrical peripheral Wall and an annular end face for sealingengagement with the outer peripheral spherical surface of said innerbody, said annular seal element being reciprocal along an axis at anangle to the axis of rotation of the rotary inner body, spring means forurging said annular seal element against said outer surface of the innerbody and cooperating to maintain the sealing cooperation of the annularseal element with the cylindrical peripheral wall and the sealingengagement of the annular seal element with the outer peripheralspherical surface of the inner body, and ports for the working medium inat least one of said bodies.

2. A rotary mechanism as deined in claim 1 in which the end of theworking chamber opposite to the inner body is closed by a spring loadedplate which at the same time serves as a pressure valve.

3. A rotary mechanism as defined in claim 2 in which the means forurging said annular seal element against said outer surface is a springwhich abuts against said plate.

4. A rotary mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which the annular sealelement comprising an annular groove in its outer surface, and a sealring inserted with radial play within said groove and having a sphericalouter surface for sealing cooperation with the cylindrical peripheralwall of said working chamber.

5. A rotary mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said annular sealelement is of a multipart construction, one of said parts engaging theouter body and another of said parts engaging the inner body.

6. A rotary mechanism comprising: an outer body having a cavity, arotary inner body having an outer peripheral cylindrical surface andbeing formed as a disc shaped eccentric and mounted eccentrically on adrive shaft within the cavity for rotation with respect to the outerbody, the outer body comprising at least one working chamber with acylindrical peripheral wall and opening towards the inner body for aworking medium which working chamber varies in volume during rotation ofthe inner body relative to the outer body, a reciprocal annular sealelement in sealing arrangement with both said inner and outer bodies andcomprising a spherical outer peripheral surface for sealing cooperationwith said cylindrical peripheral wall and an annular end face forsealing engagement with the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of saidinner body, said annular seal element being reciprocal along an aXis atan angle to the axis of rotation of the rotary inner body, spring meansfor urging said annular seal element against said outer surface of theinner body and cooperating to maintain the sealing cooperation of theannular seal element with the cylindrical peripheral wall and thesealing engagement of the annular seal element with the outer peripheralcylindrical surface of the inner body, and ports for the working mediumin at least one of said bodies.

7. A Irotary mechanism comprising: an outer body having a cavity, arotary inner body having a hollow-spherical surface and being formed asan eccentric part of a hollow sphere and mounted eccentrically on adrive shaft within the cavity for rotation with respect to the outerbody, the outer body comprising at least one working chamber with acylindrical peripheral wall and opening towards the inner body for aworking medium which working chamber varies in volume during rotation ofthe inner body relative to the outer body, a reciprocal annular sealelement in sealing arrangement with both said inner and outer bodies andcomprising a spherical outer peripheral surface for sealing cooperationwith said cylindrical peripheral wall and an annular end face forsealing engagement with the hollow-spherical surface of said inner body,said annular seal element being reciprocal along an axis at an angle tothe axis of rotation of the rotary inner body, spring means for urgingsaid annular seal element against said surface of the inner body andcooperating to maintain the sealing cooperation of the annular sealelement with the cylindrical peripheral Wall and the sealing engagementof the annular seal element with said surface of the inner body, andports for the working medium in at least one of said bodies.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS i 1,710,5674/1929 Carey 103-162 2,683,423 7/1954 Raymond 103-174 2,710,137 6/1955Arnouil 230-172 2,713,829 7/1955 Beacham 103-173 2,792,790 5/1957 Capps1o3-23 2,956,845 10/1960 Wahlmark 103--162 3,084,633 4/1963 Henrichsen103-161 FOREIGN PATENTS 879,285 10/1961 Great Britain. 884,556 12/1961Great Britain.

ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner.

WARREN COLEMAN, MARK NEWMAN, DONLEY J. STOCKING, Examiners.

W. L. FREEH, Assistant Examiners.

1. A ROTARY MECHANISM COMPRISING: AN OUTER BODY HAVING A CAVITY, AROTARY INNER BODY HAVING AN OUTER PERIPHERAL SPHERICAL SURFACE AND BEINGFORMED AS A SPHERICAL ECCENTRIC AND MOUNTED ECCENTRICALLY ON A DRIVESHAFT WITHIN THE CAVITY FOR ROTATION WITH RESPECT TO THE OUTER BODY, THEOUTER BODY COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE WORKING CHAMBER WITH A CYLINDRICALPERIPHERAL WALL AND OPENINGS TOWARDS THE INNER BODY FOR A WORKING MEDIUMWHICH WORKING CHAMBER VARIES IN VOLUME DURING ROTATION OF THE INNER BODYRELATIVE TO THE OUTER BODY, A RECIPROCAL ANNULAR SEAL ELEMENT IN SEALINGARRANGEMENT WITH BOTH SAID INNER AND OUTER BODIES AND COMPRISING ASPHERICAL OUTER PERIPHERAL SURFACE FOR SEALING COOPERATION WITH SAIDCYLINDRICAL PERIPHERAL WALL AND AN ANNULAR END FACE FOR SEALINGENGAGEMENT WITH THE OUTER PERIPHERAL SPHERICAL SURFACE